Mining apparatus



N. D. LEVIN MTNINGl APPARATUS nec. 9,1924.

Filed April 19, 1921 4 Shee -Sheet 1 )QU/7% TTOR/VEY Dec, 9, 1924.

N. D. LEVIN MINING APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1921 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l A TTORNE Y Dem 9,

v N. D. LEVIN MTNIN'G APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1921 '4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @kam /N VEN TOR BYy ATTORNEY W MM? Ja l Ja@ Dec. 9, l924- 1,518,333

N. D. I EvlN MTNING APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1.923.,` 4 Sheets-5heet 4 Eig/5 y [1V VENTOR' A fr0/UVE Y CII Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

NILS D. vLEVIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY .MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OIE COLUMBUS, OI-IIO, A CORPORATION OF.0HIO.

MINING APPARATUS.

Appllicatioii filed April 19, 1921. Serial No. 462,726.

T0 all ywhom. t may concern.'

Re it: known that I, NiLs lllinviis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, .in the county ofliranklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements iii Mining Apparatus, of which the following isa specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention ielates to certain new and useful improvements in mining apparatus comprising a truck adapted to support a coal cutting machine for transporta.- tion from one working place to another and provided with guiding devices by ,which said coal cutting machine may be conveniently positioned for operation and guided during said operations.

I ani aware that machines have been proposed wherein tlie weight of the entire apparatus, including the cutting mechanism, is carried by the truck not only during transportation but also during the vcutting operations. With its weight carried by the truck it is impossible topermit the cutting mechanism to project beyond the outlines of the supporting base through more than a certain relatively small distance, and consequently the width of the room or entry which can be cut by suoli a machine is quite limited.

' In my co-pending application, Serial No. 9,972. liled February 23rd. 19l5, and re newed as Serial No. 396,590, is disclosed an apparatus in which the cutting mechanism can be carried upon the truck during transportation and in which it is removable horizontally therefrom without breaking its. connection therewith to rest entirely upon the floor of the mine and to be moved horizontally under the guidance and control of the truck to cut a horizontal kerf from one side to the other of a relatively wide room. i y

In coal minesbreak throughs, or connecting passages, are formed `at regular inter'- vals in the walls between ladjacent rooms and between parallel adjacent entries, through which is maintained the circulation of air necessary to the ventilation of the mines. The formation of these break throughs necessitates the occasional operation of the cutting mechanism alongI the side walls of the rooms and entries in lines parallel with their length. By theearlier machilies falling within the above definition` the cutting of such break ztlirou,f hs could only be accomplished by entirely disconnect ing the cutting mechanism from the truck, and laboriously moving it by means of bars, cables, etc., into the desired cutting position, and after the completion of the cutting operation, moving it back in like manner to a position from which it might be ie-mounted upon the truck. Such a mechanism is disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 174,088, filed June 11th, 1917.

It is the especial object of this invention to provide an apparatus in which the cutting mechanism can be carried by the truck y during transportation, and in which it is movable horizontally therefrom without breaking its connection therewith to iest en`- tirely upon the oor of the mine and to be movedhorizontally under the guidance and control of the truck to cut a horizontal kerf from one side to the other of a relatively wide room, or to cut a horizontal kerf longitudinally of the side walls of a rela,- tively narrow room, and to provide iii such apparatus meansfor maintaining a more complete control of the cutting mechanism than is possible with the devices previously known.

The devices by which I attain this object are fully set forth in the following specitication and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofthe preferred embodiment of my invention showing a coal cutting machine of well known construetioii loaded for transportation from one working place to another, certain parts be'- ing broken away to reveal other arts.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side 'elevation of' the devices shown in Fig. 1, showing the coal cutting mechanism in position for cuttingacross the face of the mine room.

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the devices illus trated in Fig. 2. y l

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of part of the guiding devices showing the mining ma chine in position to begin the `suinping or entering ,c ut.

the engagement of the bolts 37 with the apertures 38 or 39 of the side flanges 22 and 26. The bolts 37 are slidable in apertures of the ianges 34 at both sides of the bottom pan, and are connected with an operating lever' 40 at opposite sides of its fulcrum bolt l1, so that movement of the lever l0 causes movement of the bolts 37 in opposite directions. A compression spring 42 arranged between a suitable collar 43.011 one of the bolts 87 and an upstanding flange 44C of the bottom pan t resiliently holds said bolts in their outer position and causes them auto lnatieally toengage the apertures 38 and 39.

The mining machine l is provided with a winding mechanism adapted to wind the feed rope 45 the end of which may be connected to any suitable abutment towards which the machine will be drawn by the winding of the rope. A hook 46, attached to the for iard end of the guide'member 5, affords such an abutment to draw the mining machine and bottom pan forwardly along the guide members l and 5 to position said mining machine upon the mine floor preparatory to cutting the coal. Vhen the mining machine moves forwardly as its center of gravity passes the trunnions 21 the tilting frame et tilts, causing the guide mem ber 5 to contact with the floor of the mine. A similar hook -lT is attached to the forward end of the bottom pan to 'which the feed rope l5 may be connected to cause movement .of the mining machine forwardly along the bottom pan to thrust the cutting mechanism S longitudinally into the coal to make the sumping, or entering, cut.

An abutment 48 is attached to the rearward end of the tilting frame Ll to which the feed ropel Ai5 may be attached to draw the mining machine rearwardly of the bottom pan, and to draw said machine and bottom pan rearwardly along the guide members 5 and 4 into loading position upon the truck. As the center of gravity of the mining machine passes rearwardly of the trunnion 2l the frame 4 tilts to its horizontal traveling position and the proportions of the parts are such that the weight of the mining machine securely retains them in their proper traveling position during transportation about the mine.

In Figs. 1.0 to llinclusive, I have shown one method of operating this apparatus in a relatively wide room ofl a coal mine. The truck 2 with the mining machine loaded upon it, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing,l on arriving at the working place, is positioned at a suitable distance from the coal face, as illustrated in Fig. 10. The machine is then rotated uponv the turn table 19, to the position illustrated in Fig. l1, so that `the cutter arml 8 will extend towards the point at the right hand side of the room at which the cutting 1s to begin. The feed rope l5 is then attached to the hook 46 at the forward end of the guide member 5, and the winding mechanism of the mining machine is actuated to draw said mining machine together with the bottom pan 6, forward. As these parts move forward the guiding members 4L, 5 and 6 assume the position illustrated in Fig. 12 with the forward end of t-he bottom pan 6 resting upon the mine iioor in close proximity to the face of the coal. The feed rope d5 is then connected to the hook 47 at the forward end of the bottom pan 6 and the cutting mechanism is forced forward to make the sumping, or entering, cut as illustrated in Fig. 13. After theV completion of the sumping cut the feed rope l5 is connected to a suitable anchor jack 49 placed adjacent the left hand rib, in the manner well understood in the mining machine art, and the machine swung upon the radius t, 5 and (i about the pivot 1S to out an arcuate kerf in the coal as illust-rated in Fig. 14. It is of course obvious `that jacks similar to the jack 49 may be placed against any preferred part of the truck to hold it in position as is the common practice with mining machines generally, the number and arrangement of suoli jacks depending upon local conditions and the opinions of the operator, and it is not thought to be neces sary to show such jacks in the drawings. When the cut has been completed across the room, the feed cable a5 may be connected to the abutment Ai8 upon the tilting frame 'l, the machine drawn to the rear of tnetilting frame, and the latter rotated to its traveling position in the manner which has been hereinbefore described.

Under some circumstances, as for 'example when cuttingat the end of an entry, it is desirable that the side walls shall be maintained in straight lines parallel to the general d'rection of the entry. l'n such a case the machine is positioned, as shown in Fig. l5, with the guide member 5 turned to suoli an vangle with the tilting frame l that the bottom pan 5 will l'e approximatel,Y parallel with and in close proximity to the right hand rib and locked in that positon by the latches 31. The 'machine is then sumped in the usual manner after which the latch bolts 3l are disengaged from the notches 30 to permit freedom of rotation of the guide member 5 relative to the tilting frame d. The feed cable 45 is then connected to a suitable jack 5() at the left hand s'de of the entry and the machine is drawn across the face in a straight line in the same manner as if it lwere operating entirely independent ofthe truck and its guiding attachments. T he truck 2 rs allowed to movefreely longitudinally of the tracks and recedes from the face as the tilting frame approaches the longitudinal center line of the tracks and afterwards approaches the face as said tilting llt) trame slidable longitudinally otsaid suppleinental and extension frame.

v8. In apparatus or the class described, the combination ot' a truck, a horiontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental `trame carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled .to said supplemental frame Afor angular movement relative thereto, means for locking said extension frame in any position ot adjustment relative to said supplemental frame, and a miningl machine .supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally ot' said supplemental and eXtension frames..

-9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of atruck, a horizontally and vertically tiltable supplemental trame carried by said truck, an extension trame coupled to said supplemental trame :tor horizontal and verticalmovements relative thereto,l and a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension frames.

10. In apparatus ot the class described, the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental fra-nie carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled to said supplemental trame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, means for locking said extension trame in any position of adjustment relative to said supplemental trame, and a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally oit said supplemental and extension trames.

11. In apparatus ot the class described, the combination ot a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension trame coupled to said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, latch devices on said supplemental frame to engage recesses on said eX- tension frame and lock said frames in any position of adjustment, and a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension trames.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination oi a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled to said supplen'iental trame tor horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, a latch engaging flange on said extension frame, latch devices on said supplemental frame to engage said llange and lock said frames in any position of adjustment, and a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally oil said supplemental and extension frames.

13. In apparatus of the class described. the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental *frame carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled tol said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, a curved latch receiving flange on said extension frame, latch devices on said supplemental trame to engage said curved liange and lock said frames in any position of adjustment, and a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension trames.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried -by said truck, an extension trame coupled to said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension frames, and means to lock said supporting and guiding frame in predetermined positions of adjustment on said extension and supplemental fra-me.

15. In apparatus o the class described, the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an eXtension frame coupled to said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension frames, and means automatically to lock said supporting and guiding frame when it reaches predetermined positions of adjustment on said extension and supplemental frame.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by Said truck, an extension frame coupled to said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, a mining machine supporting and guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said supplemental and extension frames, and a spring bolt adapted automatically to lock said supporting and guiding frame When it reaches predetermined positions of adjustment on said extension and supplemental frame.

17. In apparatus ot' the class described, the combination of a truck, a horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension trame coupled to the forward end of said supplemental frame for horizontal and vertical movements relative thereto, means for locking said extension and supplemental :trames in any position of angular adjustment, a mining machine supporting and guiding trame mounted for longitudinal movement on said extension and supplemental frame, and means for locking said supporting and guiding frame in a predetermined position of longitudinal adjustment on said extension and supplemental. frames.

18.111 apparatus oit the class described, the combination of a truck, a lriorizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled to the forward end lof said supplemental frame for horizontal and Vertical movements relative thereto, means for locking said extension and supplemental frames in any position oiz angular nd-justment, a mining machine supporting and ding frame mounted for longitudinal movement on said extension and supplemental frame', andi means automatically to lock said supporting andi guiding iframe when it reaches a predetermined position of longitudinal adjustment on said extension frame.

19. ln apparatusolg the class described, the combination of a truck, a lhorizontally rotatable and vertically tiltable supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension fra-me coupled to the forward end of Said supplemental frame for horizontal and Vertical niovements relative thereto, means for locking said extension and supplemental framesin any position of angular ad? justment, a mining machine supporting and,

guiding frame mounted for longitudinal movement on said extension and supplemental frame, and means automatically to lock said supporting and guiding frame when it reaches a predetermined position of longitudinal adjustment on said supplemental frame.

20. In apparatus of the class described. the combination of a truck, u horizontally rotatable and vertically tiltnble supplemental frame carried by said truck, an extension frame coupled to the forward end of said supplemental frame for horizontal and vor tical movements relative thereto, menus for looking said extension and supplemental frames in any position of angular adjust ment, a mining` machine supporting and guiding frame mounted for longitudinal movement on said extension and supplennm`- tal frame, and means automatically to lock said supporting and guiding tramo when it reaches a predetermined position of longitudinal adjustment on said extension and supplemental frame.

In testimony whereof l atlix my signature.

NILS l). LEVIN. 

